Examination Track
There are two tracks leading to an M.A. degree in History: the Examination Track and the Thesis Track. Both tracks require 45 units of course work and History 697 (1-5 units) or History 698 (1-5 units), for a total of 46 to 50 units. History 697 and History 698 are graded credit/no credit. Graduate students are encouraged to earn as many units as possible in 500 or 600 level courses. However, a maximum of 20 units may be earned in 400 level courses. Graduate credit in a 400 level course requires submission of a "Petition for Graduate Credit," signed by the instructor and Graduate Coordinator, indicating what additional work is required for graduate credit to be awarded.
Once the students decide on a track, they should secure the appropriate Concentration Outline form from the History Department office. This form, which will be kept in individual students' files will indicate committee members, course work leading to the M.A. degree, date of classification, and satisfaction of the GWAR (see below).
Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR):
All M.A. candidates must demonstrate writing competency at the upper-division level. Non-CSU students who have not passed an upper-division writing course can satisfy the GWAR in one of two ways: take History 300 (Historical Writing); or take the university's waiver exam, offered once per quarter through the English Department.
Examination Track:
Students interested in teaching at the high school or community college level are advised to follow this track. It is generally completed faster than the thesis track and provides students with a broad base of knowledge and bibliography, which will be of significant value to them when they are preparing courses in their teaching career. Return to Top
Students select the examination track at the time of application for classification. Students must designate one primary field and one secondary field.
Examination Fields:
Primary |
Secondary |
American History, Colonial to Reconstruction |
Medieval Europe |
American History since Reconstruction |
Early Modern Europe |
Modern Europe since 1789 |
Latin America |
|
Modern East Asia |
|
Public History |
Examination Committee: The examination committee will consist of one history department faculty member from the chosen primary field, one history department faculty member from the chosen secondary field, and one additional member chosen in consultation with the graduate coordinator and the other committee members. The committee will help students determine the courses they need in order to prepare for MA exams. The committee also will conduct both written and oral examinations. The results will be forwarded to the Graduate Coordinator using the following grading scale: Honors, Pass or Fail.
Written Examinations: Students who have maintained at least a 3.25 GPA in their graduate coursework should obtain the signature of their committee chair prior to taking their exams, and must be enrolled in the university (or through Extended University) in History 698 in the quarter in which they take the exams. MA candidates are required to take a five hour examination in the primary field and a three hour examination in the secondary field. The exams are scheduled over a one-week period and are offered once a quarter. (Note: No student shall be permitted to take an examination in a field in which he or she has not had formal course work.) Any failed examination may be repeated once with the following 12 month period.
Oral Examination: After passing each of the written examinations, students will undergo a 90-minute oral examination. The faculty member responsible for the primary field will preside. The oral examination may be repeated once, if necessary, within the following 12 month period. Return to Top
